Washington, DC – November 6, 2025 – The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has announced a 10% reduction in air traffic across 40 major U.S. markets, starting Friday morning. The move comes amid mounting concerns over air traffic controller fatigue and staffing shortages caused by the ongoing government shutdown, which began on October 1, 2025.
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What Happened
The FAA’s decision follows reports that air traffic controllers—many of whom have been working without pay for over a month—are facing extreme stress and exhaustion. Some controllers have been forced to work mandatory overtime, while others have temporarily left their posts due to financial strain.
FAA Administrator Brian Bedford stated that the agency could not wait for a safety crisis to occur before taking action.
“While early indicators are telling us we can take action today, we will not wait for a safety problem to actually manifest,” Bedford said during a press briefing.
The FAA’s priority, he added, is to maintain flight safety and avoid operational errors caused by fatigue.
Impact on Flights
The FAA manages approximately 44,000 flights per day. A 10% reduction could result in up to 1,800 flights being grounded daily, affecting both commercial and cargo operations. The change could eliminate about 268,000 available seats nationwide each day.
While the FAA will publish a detailed list of affected cities and airports on Thursday morning, early indications suggest that major hubs like Chicago O’Hare, Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson, and New York JFK may face significant disruptions.
For example, if cuts were distributed evenly, around 121 of O’Hare’s 1,212 scheduled flights could be canceled daily.
Airlines Brace for Disruptions
Airlines such as Delta, United, and American are scrambling to revise schedules and notify passengers. Industry analyst Henry Harteveldt warned that the short notice could cause widespread logistical chaos:
“Telling airlines they have 48 hours to rework 90% of their schedules is not a lot of time. It’s going to result in a lot of chaos.”
Travel experts are advising passengers to:
- Check flight status frequently through airline apps and websites.
- Arrive early at airports to accommodate longer processing times.
- Stay flexible with travel plans due to possible delays or cancellations.
Air Traffic Controller Stress and Shutdown Effects
The shutdown’s toll on staffing has reached record highs, with at least 39 air traffic control facilities reporting weekend staffing shortages—the worst since the shutdown began. The FAA’s decision to cut flight volume is intended to ease workload pressure and prevent safety lapses.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy highlighted that the move is precautionary, referencing lessons learned from past incidents:
“We learned from previous accidents that early action saves lives. This is about preventing fatigue-related mistakes before they happen.”
Public and Industry Response
The announcement has drawn strong reactions from the aviation industry, travel unions, and passengers. Many are now urging Congress to end the shutdown, which has become the longest in U.S. history.
AAA spokeswoman Aixa Diaz summarized public frustration:
“At the end of the day, you either fly or you don’t. It’s frustrating because passengers have no control over the situation.”
Conclusion
The FAA’s 10% air traffic reduction underscores the far-reaching consequences of the ongoing government shutdown. While the move aims to preserve passenger safety and prevent fatigue-related accidents, it also highlights the deepening strain on America’s aviation infrastructure.
Travelers are urged to stay informed, remain patient, and plan for potential delays as airlines and the FAA navigate this unprecedented operational challenge.
This story may be updated as new information becomes available.